Commercial solar funding by sector — where each grant route fits.
Different sectors fit different funding routes. Manufacturers once fitted IETF Phase 3, but it closed (last window April 2024; fund closed July 2025); they now rely on AIA and the 50% FYA. Schools and the NHS fit Salix PSDS Phase 4. Farms and rural businesses fit REPF. Logistics and retail fit PPAs. Hotels and offices typically fit the Annual Investment Allowance alone. Pick your sector below for the funding stack that actually applies — eligibility rules, project sizing, and the constraints we see most often.
Manufacturing
English IETF closed. The 2026 manufacturing solar stack — AIA, PPAs and SEG — still pays back in 4-6 years; the Scottish IETF closed in March 2025.
Warehousing & Logistics
UK warehouse and logistics solar funding 2026 — PPAs dominant, AIA, SEG export. Independent specialists for Big Box and last-mile.
Agriculture & Farms
REPF rural funding, AIA and SEG export for UK farms 2026. Dairies, arable, poultry, horticulture — funded solar PV with 5–7 year payback.
Schools & Education
PSDS Phase 4 closed November 2024. Salix interest-free loans, LCSF and Local Growth Fund still active for school decarbonisation. Independent specialists.
NHS & Healthcare
PSDS Phase 4 closed November 2024. NHS trusts now use Salix interest-free loans, LCSF, Local Growth Fund and PPAs for solar decarbonisation.
Hotels & Hospitality
Hotel groups, single-site hotels, restaurants, pubs — UK commercial solar funding via AIA, REPF (rural), PPAs and SEG. Independent specialists.
Retail Parks & Stores
Retail park and store solar funding 2026 — AIA, PPAs, solar canopies on car parks. Independent funding consultants for UK retail.
Office Parks & Commercial Offices
Office and office-park solar funding 2026 — AIA, PPAs, BREEAM and Net Zero Carbon Buildings credits. Independent funding consultants.
Specialist sub-sectors we cover
Distilleries
Whisky, gin, craft. AIA for Scottish operators (SIETF closed March 2025); AIA + REPF for English/Welsh.
Food Processing
Chilled, frozen, dairy, meat, bakery, drinks. Exceptional self-consumption rates.
Data Centres
24/7 demand, on-site PV + sleeved off-site PPAs at hyperscale.
Care Homes
24/7 stable demand. AIA + group PPAs for multi-site operators.
Churches & Faith Buildings
GBE Community Fund, listed building consents, denominational routes.
Don't see your sector?
We have funded across 30+ sub-sectors. Scope yours with the free funding review.
Don't see your sector?
We have funded across more than 30 specific sub-sectors. If your business doesn't fit cleanly into one of the categories above, the funding review form gives us enough to scope your specific situation properly.
No obligation. We don't charge for grant scoping.
Funding by asset class
The allowance depends on the asset, and most pages on this topic get it the wrong way round. Solar PV is special-rate expenditure (HMRC Capital Allowances Manual CA22335), so the 100% year-one route is the Annual Investment Allowance — Full Expensing is a main-rate measure and does not reach it. Battery storage, EV charging and heat pumps are Heat pumps for space or water heating are special-rate: AIA, then the 50% FYA. Standalone batteries are probably main-rate (full expensing for companies), but HMRC has no specific guidance; confirm with your adviser.
- what a commercial heat pump actually costs in 2026
Special-rate integral feature: AIA up to £1m, then the 50% special-rate first-year allowance for companies; full expensing does not apply.
- what commercial battery storage costs per kWh
Probably main-rate plant (HMRC has no specific guidance, so confirm with your adviser). Stacks with solar for self-consumption.
- the real cost of a commercial solar install
Capex bands per kWp before any relief.
- industrial rooftop solar economics
Large roofs, high daytime load — the strongest case.
- claiming the Annual Investment Allowance on solar
Solar is special-rate, so AIA is the 100% year-one route.
Find out which 2026 schemes your site actually qualifies for
- 1. A short written funding note naming every scheme your site qualifies for in 2026 — and the ones it does not.
- 2. Indicative system size and a capex band for your roof.
- 3. Year-one tax treatment per asset in £ — solar is special-rate expenditure, so the route is the Annual Investment Allowance; heat pumps for building heating are also special-rate integral features, and standalone battery storage is probably main-rate plant (HMRC has no specific guidance, so confirm with your adviser). Most pages get this the wrong way round.
- 4. Projected SEG export revenue at current rates.
- 5. Any red-flag eligibility or DNO issues we can see up front.
Covers solar PV, battery storage, EV charging and commercial heat pumps — separately or as one bundled project. If your project is a heat pump or a battery rather than a roof, say so in the message box and the note is written against that asset instead.
- · We do not pass your details to multiple installers.
- · We do not run a lead auction, and your phone number is optional.
- · No marketing lists, no unsolicited calls.
- · We are an independent funding information service — not an installer.
Commercial solar by industry
Sector-specific solar economics — roof inventory, demand profile and the grants that apply to your industry.
- Manufacturing & factoriesProcess loads and large roof inventory.
- Warehousing & logisticsBig-box roofs and PPA structures.
- Agriculture & farmsBarns, REPF and rural permitted development.
- Distribution centresThe largest UK rooftop opportunities.
- Retail parks & storesDaytime and weekend demand profiles.
- Office buildingsPlant congestion and BREEAM value.
- NHS & healthcare24/7 demand and Salix funding.
- Hotels & hospitalityHigh unit rates and 24/7 profiles.
- Schools & educationTerm-time demand and Salix loans.
- Data centresContinuous high-load self-consumption.
- Food processingRefrigeration loads and battery fit.